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title: ""GitHub is working on replacing the term "master" on its service with…"
date: 2020-06-14
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships shared a link.
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# "GitHub is working on replacing the term "master" on its service with…

*June 14, 2020 · Facebook*

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[https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-to-replace-master-with-alternative-term-to-avoid-slavery-references/](https://www.zdnet.com/article/github-to-replace-master-with-alternative-term-to-avoid-slavery-references/){target="_blank"}
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\"GitHub is working on replacing the term \"master\" on its service with a neutral term like \"main\" to avoid any unnecessary references to slavery, its CEO said on Friday.\
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The code-hosting portal is just the latest in a long line of tech companies and open source projects that have expressed support for removing terms that may be offensive to developers in the black community.\
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This includes dropping terms like \"master\" and \"slave\" for alternatives like \"main/default/primary\" and \"secondary;\" but also terms like \"blacklist\" and \"whitelist\" for \"allow list\" and \"deny/exclude list.\"\
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The concern is that continued use of these racially-loaded terms could prolong racial stereotypes.\
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\"Such terminology not only reflects racist culture, but also serves to reinforce, legitimize, and perpetuate it,\" wrote academics in a 2018 journal.\"
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